A High Commitment Team Dedicated to Caring for Your Pet
CASE #10
|
Kelly
|
 |
|
Kelly is a 9-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat. In February
of this year, her owner began to notice that she seemed to be drinking
more water and using the litter box more frequently, so she made a
trip to Lexington Blvd. Animal Hospital. Older cats can drink increased
amounts of water for several reasons, including urinary tract infections,
chronic renal failure, and diabetes. Often, some blood work and a
urinalysis are all that is needed to determine the cause in one office
visit. Kelly's blood work revealed a significant elevation in glucose as well as glucose in the urine, leading to a diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes in cats is controlled by a combination of insulin injections and dietary modification. Kelly was started on a low dose of insulin that her owner could easily administer at home. Her response to insulin became immediately apparent when she began returning to normal water consumption within a few days. At a recheck examination, her veterinarian decided to try special diet, Purina DM, developed for cats with diabetes. This diet, and others like it, reduces the amount of glucose in the bloodstream so that less insulin will be required. Abruptly changing the diet in diabetic animals can be dangerous, leading to life-threatening hypoglycemia. However, with a veterinarian's careful attention to decreasing her insulin dosage, the new diet was a success. Kelly's diabetes is now completely controlled without the need for twice daily injections. The signs of diabetes in the cat are ones that any owner can recognize. They include increased thirst, increased urination, increased appetite, weight loss, and lethargy. Overweight cats are especially prone to diabetes, so it is very important to investigate these symptoms when you recognize them. While many cats require insulin injections for life, there are now other options available to extend the life of your pet. |
|
2627 Cordes Drive Sugar Land, Texas 77479 24-Hour Emergency Care for Our Clients Phone:(281) 980-3737 Fax: (281) 265-5584 Email:info@lexingtonpethospital.com |
 |